Free team building activities are a fun and engaging to bring employees together, build trust, and improve communication skills.
The “easy picture to draw” or blindfolded artist game is a simple but powerful team bonding activity that helps teams practice giving clear instructions, active listening, and collaborating towards a common goal.
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Background on Training Games for Teams
Training games allow team members to step outside their normal roles and interactions.
By working together in new and creative ways, teams can improve their communication, problem-solving, and understanding of each other’s working styles and perspectives.
Well-designed training games provide a risk-free environment to practice skills like leadership, collaboration, and strategic thinking. We hear this from customers that have ordered our full set of courses.
The shared experience of participating in a get to know you training activity facilitates relationship building across departments and levels of seniority.
Rationale for the “Easy Picture to Draw” Training Game
The “easy picture to draw” game focuses on the key skills of giving clear instructions and active listening.
One person describes a simple image while the other team members draw the picture without being able to see the original. It is always a great idea to keep with you a drawing ideas list to make the deliver of this activity easier.
This requires the describer to break down the image into small, simple steps while the drawers must listen attentively and ask clarifying questions.
Like any team task, patience and persistence are needed to achieve the goal.
The non-threatening nature of drawing allows team members to practice communication skills in a fun, low-pressure setting. This team activity is a perfect fit to be used in corporate culture training courses.
Features and Benefits of the “Easy Picture to Draw” Game
- Improves ability to give concise, step-by-step instructions
- Encourages active listening and asking clarifying questions
- Fosters creativity and problem-solving
- Provides laughs and fun shared experience
- Breaks down barriers and allows team bonding
- Resets power dynamics and cross-functional collaboration
- Simple to organize with minimal materials needed
Step-by-Step Instructions
Materials Needed
- Paper or whiteboard for each team member
- Markers, pens, pencils
- Simple image printed out or shown on a screen for describer
Set Up
- Divide into teams of 4-6 people. Have each team sit in a circle or around a table.
- Assign roles – one person will describe the image, the others will draw. Rotate roles so each person has a turn.
- Reveal image – show the image to the describer on a printed page or device screen. Keep it hidden from the drawers.
Game Play
- The describer explains the image step-by-step to the drawers without revealing what it is. For example, “Draw a circle about 2 inches wide in the center of the page”.
- The drawers follow the instructions precisely, asking clarifying questions if anything is unclear.
- Once the describer finishes explaining, the drawers can compare their drawings to the original image.
- Rotate roles so each person gets to describe and draw.
- Discuss as a team how well you communicated, listened, and worked together. Identify areas for improvement.
10 Variations
- Describer can only use verbal instructions, no hand gestures.
- Drawers cannot speak, only the describer can talk.
- Time limit added to create sense of urgency.
- Describer views image for only 15 seconds before explaining from memory.
- Make it competitive with prizes for most accurate drawing.
- Draw on whiteboard instead of paper.
- Break into pairs instead of whole group drawing.
- Draw an image that has personal significance.
- Use LEGOs or modeling clay instead of drawing.
- Act out or sculpt famous statues and monuments.
The “easy picture to draw” game provides an engaging, interactive way for teams to improve their communication abilities while having fun together.
With some simple preparation and willing participation, your team can build trust and understanding through this classic team building activity.
Make sure to also check out our post on how to describe your management style.
With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation (oakinnovation.com) in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway and is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
